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VANCOUVER - A half-dozen relatives are coming up from San Jose this Saturday to see Vancouver Whitecaps fullback Steven Beitashour play the Earthquakes, his old team, for the first time.

He’s excited, but dismisses any suggestion he might by unnerved by their presence.

“You should see the family I had (come to games) in San Jose -- (six) is nothing,” says the 27-year-old who was acquired from the ‘Quakes in January for allocation money.

The typical Beitashour cheering section at cozy Buck Shaw Stadium, he says, would number 30 to 40.

“A lot of cousins,” he says with a big smile. “A lot of immediate family. Everyone would come out. It’s nice over here. I don’t have to be asking around for tickets. Just relax and focus on the game.”

Acquired to fill the spot vacated by the retired Y.P. Lee, Beitashour’s cool demeanor and sharp focus has earned him plaudits through the first eight games of the season as a more than competent replacement for the popular former South Korean international.

He’s picked up assists in each of the last two games, the most significant one coming last Saturday in Sandy, Utah, against Real Salt Lake. With time running out in stoppage time, Beitashour made a desperate, sliding tackle on RSL’s Alvaro Saborio in the centre circle.

The ball landed at the feet of Sebastian Fernandez who drilled home the tying goal from 35 yards to allow the Caps to escape with a stunning 2-2 draw.

“Sebastian’s (goal) was all down to Steven Beitashour wanting to win that ball on the halfway line,” said Caps’ head coach Carl Robinson. “That was as crucial as anything.”

“I think Steven’s grown over the last two or three games especially. He’s got better and better with each game.”

Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit, who is hoping to return to the starting lineup Saturday after being left at home last weekend, says he likes what Beitashour has brought to the team.

“He brings a level of experience, a level of competitiveness . . . and a level of consistency. (At fullback) you want guys who are good one v. one, you want guys who keep the ball and join in at the other end if possible. Stevie definitely brings all those attributes to this team.”

The flip side is that just as Beitashour, an MLS all-star in 2012, is beginning to settle in, he’s set to miss a handful of games soon with the dual American-Iranian citizen expected to be called up to join Iran at the World Cup in Brazil in June.

Beitashour was born in San Jose to Iranian immigrants. The U.S. national team has taken a look at him, but after failing to get onto the field in two games, he decided his best shot at realizing his dream of playing in a World Cup was with Iran, with whom he has now played four games.

That story, particularly given the confrontational history between the U.S. and the Iran, has captured the interest of American media. But this week, the story is about facing the team for which he played 89 regular-season and playoff games over four seasons after being a second-round draft pick out of San Diego State in 2010.

Beitashour was once a ball boy for the San Jose Clash, the forerunner to today’s Earthquakes and admits he would have loved to have stayed in the Bay Area. But money was an issue for the low-budget club. He’s earning $177,000 with the Caps, about the same amount of money San Jose is spending on the two right fullbacks, including 2013 draftee Brandon Barklage, signed to replace him.

Beitashour says he expects several ‘Quakes players will be chirping at him at B.C. Place. And even though he’s generally a quiet individual, he plans to give it right back.

“It’s all fun and games.”

At right back, Beitashour figures to see a lot of speedy San Jose winger Shea Salinas, a former Cap who has terrorized Vancouver fullbacks the last couple of seasons. Salinas has four assists in six games this season, already halfway to the eight he had in 28 games in 2013.

“Shea’s been killing a lot of teams lately,” says Beitashour. “He’s been doing real well. It’s tough one v. one against him . . . and we have to focus on not letting him get crosses in.

“We had some good battles (in practice). He knows my tendencies, I know his tendencies. Hopefully, it’ll work in my favor this weekend.”

The ‘Quakes, who are coached by Vancouverite Mark Watson, got off to a tough start this season, going 0-2-3 before recording a 1-0 win over Chivas USA last weekend. Injuries have played a part with menacing target forward Stephen Lenart (torn knee ligament) still not back. Barklage has also missed time.

The 2-2-4 Caps are struggling themselves, going winless over their last four games. The schedule has been tough with back-to-back games against perennial power Los Angeles and then the road game against undefeated RSL.

“Those are good teams . . . kind of expected to be in the playoffs every year,” says Beitashour. “This weekend, nothing against San Jose, they’re a good team as well, but anytime we’re at home, regardless of who we play, we expect to win.

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